After two successful games sets in the post-apocalyptic Moscow underground, the Metro series is ready for its moment in the sun. Ever since we watched the impressive debut footage at Microsoft's last E3 press conference, we were eager to learn more about Artyom's journey through the irradiated Russian countryside and how developer 4A Games hopes to pair the traditional, linear Metro experience with some of the open spaces and focused exploration of its progenitor – S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. This past month, we journeyed to 4A Games' headquarters on the gorgeous Mediterranean island of Malta to find these answers and more.

The 14-page cover story that emerged from our visit is packed with new details about Metro Exodus. We sat down with creative director Andriy "Prof" Prokhorov, executive producer Jon Bloch, and others to discuss 4A Games' move from Kiev to Malta, chronicle the tricky task of evolving Metro from linear to open play spaces, and learn just how large these sandbox spaces get (we're talking orders of magnitude larger than anything in Last Light). 4A Games also shared many smaller details series fans won't want to miss. The feature touches on how weapon customization is changing in Exodus, the brand-new crafting system, and much more.

Trailers:

With the Gameinformer cover there's probably enough detail to make a thread now tbh, so *bleep* hyped.

The forthcoming AAA title Metro Exodus, hosted by THQ Nordics game studio Deep Silver, is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2019. Earlier messages were launched in 2018.

'In order to get the best return on our investments and continue to build values ​​in our brands, I would like to emphasize again the importance of patience waiting to launch products until they meet the expected customer experience while it is important to choose the right timing for future launches, 'writes CEO Lars Wingefors in the interim report.

He further states that the timing of the launch of THQ's forthcoming key titles, Biomutant and Darksiders 3, has not yet been decided. However, it does not appear if it means that 2018, as previously discussed, no longer applies, or if it only means that it is not decided when the launches will take place in 2018.